Shhh! All quiet signs coming to West Chester

WEST CHESTER – Borough Council has unanimously passed the latest effort to deter quality of life problems in the borough by giving approval to install quiet zone signs on the borough’s streets.

In all, the borough will mount 240 signs along 60 blocks, predominantly in the southeast quadrant of the borough. There will be two signs on each side of the block that will let residents and visitors know constant loud-volume conversation and noise will not be tolerated.

The 12-inch by 18-inch signs will cost a total of $4,230. The borough has an annual sign budget of $6,000. The signs will read “Quiet Zone, 9 p.m. to 7 a.m., minimum fine $250.”

The signs will be installed as soon as possible, though incrementally to avoid dipping into overtime for the borough’s public works employees.

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The signs were put on the consent agenda after Tuesday night’s council work session and voted through unanimously by council on Wednesday.

Additional blocks not identified in the initial study that seek to add quiet zone signs would be able to do so by petition from residents on the block.

Area residents who responded to the news on Facebook were mostly opposed to the signs, specifically challenging the cost of the project which many criticized as poor spending of the borough’s money.

“A total waste of money,” said Joan Baldwin Faddis. “Everyone ignores the other 30 or so signs that line every block in West Chester.”

Resident Yvette Zednelem disagreed, arguing the signs represent a way to curb activity and the high volume of calls placed to emergency responders who have to dedicate time and resources each time there is a problem.

“The cost of signs is the least of problems when these patrolmen have to respond to one too many parties that are constantly going on every single weekend,” Zednelem said. “No one’s rights are being taken away or about power in the West Chester Police Department, it’s about maintaining stability before it gets way too out of hand.”

The borough defines a noise disturbance as “any noise which endangers, would endanger or is likely to endanger, or injures, would injure or is likely to injure, the safety or health of humans or animals, annoys, would annoy or is likely to annoy, or disturbs, would disturb or is likely to disturb, a reasonable person of ordinary sensibilities; endangers, would endanger or is likely to endanger, or injures, would injure or is likely to injure, personal or real property; disturbs, would disturb or is likely to disturb, the peace; or creates, would create or is likely to create, a nuisance.”

The general provision states it is unlawful for anyone to cause a noise disturbance while specific limitations are on electronic devices, tools and musical instruments among others.

As it pertains to residents and visitors two provisions state: “No person shall create such other noise as might pose a danger to the public health, safety or welfare of the borough or otherwise constitute a nuisance in fact,” in addition to “no person, including, without limitation, a pedestrian, shall make, continue or cause to be made or continued any noise which creates or causes a noise disturbance.”

Some residents said they felt 9 p.m. was unreasonably early while a number of responders said they see the signs as simply a way for the borough to generate more money out of the college students.

“Being that it is a college town, and filled with bars and restaurants, these signs are clearly in place to potentially generate more money for the borough, that is all,” said Sean Barron. “Merely placing a sign does not change behavior, especially when alcohol is introduced.”

“Is West Chester turning into a mini State College?” said Charlie Keonnecker. “Looks like another way to shake down the parents of the college students.

Still residents were disappointed council is forced to look at signs as an option with the quality of life issues appearing to be a constant uphill battle.

“I live on a busy street and have kids so I like the idea,” said Valerie Ward. “It’s sort of sad you have to remind adults of basic courtesy, but I guess that’s how it is”

The persistence of quality of life crimes in the neighborhoods have been an item of endless concern at council meetings. These crimes, which include disorderly conduct, noise violations, underage drinking, open containers and public drunkenness among others, went up 9 percent from 2011 to 2012.

Throughout the past year including the current semester, the borough teamed up with the West Chester University Foundation to hire a private security service to patrol the southeast neighborhoods on the weekends. Funded by the foundation, the borough renewed its contract with ELPS Private Detective Agency for four security officers in January.

ELPS President Jeff Stein said his officers have noticed their presence making a difference in the neighborhoods.

“A lot of the kids are starting to get to know us and we educate them and talk to them and they appreciate it,” Stein said, acknowledging that there are still some confrontations between his officers and the pedestrians. “We are finding a lot of the kids come up and thank us.”

Stein said the officers have been instructing the late night crowd to be careful of the noise, educating them to the recent sign initiative and possible fine that could accompany it.

“It’s just like anything else when your marketing or branding you need to do it multiple times,” Stein said.

As a West Chester University graduate himself, Stein said the dynamic of students on campus has changed from the “suitcase school” he knew where students went home on the weekend.

To counter that, Stein said he has taken notice of the moves the university and council has taken to curb the quality of life issues, which has been successful though that component will never be completely eradicated.

Stein said because of the action of the officers the school has made him aware of several students who have been kicked out of school because of their behavior.

“It’s unfortunate,” Stein said. “But to do stupid things that are detrimental to some and the safety of others, at 18 or 21 years old, you should know the difference between right and wrong.”

Additional blocks not identified in the initial study that seek to add quiet zone signs would be able to do so by petition from residents on the block.

About the Author

Jeremy Gerrard is the Daily Local News' reporter covering the West Chester area and local school district. Jeremy is a Chester County native and a graduate of Auburn University. Reach the author at jgerrard@dailylocal.com
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